Transfer light sign

ABSTRACT

An improved advertising sign of large size such as is used for restaurants, shopping centers and gas stations, and which usually is located high up so to be visible far down a highway; the sign having its illuminating lamps in its base or near the ground where they can be more easily serviced or replaced in case of burning out, the light rays from the lamps being carried upwardly to the sign through reflection on light refractive surfaces.

1 51 Sept. 11, 1973 3,605,309 9/1971 Beaty et a1 40/130 B 3,102,365 9/1963 Whitesell 40/132 R X X 0 B L R m 0 N u G M 0 ML h H a mu Le RK E FF. mm mm M M 5 W Versailles, Ohio Jan. 5, 1972 Appl. No.: 215,477

Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-John F. Pitrelli [22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT An improved advertising sign of large size such as is used for restaurants, shopping centers and gas stations, and which usually is located high up so to be visible far MR M w an 9 G0 .3 e n 1 m 0 4 H B u 0 mm 3 u 1 .n 0 U 4 m c n r a u e n S L m l s k UhF 1:11. 2100 555 down a highway; the sign having its illuminating lamps 40/145 R; 240/411, 84, 2 SL, 1.2

in its base or near the ground where they can be more easily serviced or replaced in case of burning out, the

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS light rays from the lamps being carried upwardly to the sign through reflection on light refractive surfaces.

1,991,584 Strauss........................... 240/4 543,730 7/1895 Heap 1 l X 240/41.1 UK 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEPI i m POWER $OUECE TRANSFER LIGHT SIGN This invention relates generally to electric signs such as are used for illuminated advertising at night.

It is well known that many times a large size sign over a business eastablishment is seen with part of it unilluminated because some of the lamp bulbs in the sign have burnt out. Such signs being usually located high above the ground for visibility far away to prospective customers, such as restaurants along highways, are not easy to be serviced, so that a proprietor may put it off until there is time to climb up and replace burnt out bulbs. Such sign, partly darkened, does not make a favorable impression on prospective customers, suggesting a careless consideration to customers, so that a prospective customer will preferably select to deal at another establishment if a choice is available at the moment. This situation is objectionable and therefore in want of improvement.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a sign in which the lamps are located near the ground or where they can be easily serviced, the lamps transferring light rays into the sign so to shine outwardly through the-advertising design or text.

Another object is to provide a transfer light sign which can be quickly serviced by any person without skill of climbing up.

Yet another object is to provide a transfer light sign which accordingly promotes safety by not necessitating a person to climb high into dangerous places.

Other objects are to provide a transfer light sign which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use, and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will, be readily apparent upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing, wherein: p

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown partly in cross section. I

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section of one of the standard bases.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents a transfer light sign according to the present invention wherein there is a large sign as sembly 11 mounted in elevated position upon one or more upstanding standards 12 so to be visible far away. The sign is constructed so to allow visibility of an advertisement 13 in the darkness.

The sign assembly 11 includes a case 14 preferably of sheet metal, the inner side of the case being fitted with reflective mirror 14. A front side 15 of the case has an opening 16 in which advertisement sign panel 17 is fitted. The panel may be variously designed and can consist of an opaque field 18 with transluscent letters 19, as shown in the example illustrated in the drawing, or it may be entirely transluscent in various colors or otherwise designed.

The standards 12 each consist of hollow pipe 20 having mirror surface 21 on its inner side. The lower end of the pipe is supported upon stationary base 22 which may comprise concrete or the like. A lamp 23 mounted on base 22 includes socket 24 supporting electric lamp bulb 25 of sealed beam or spot light type. The socket 24 is connected by electric cable 26 to an electric power source. The bulb 25 is located within a lower end of the hollow pipe so that light rays therefrom are directed upwardly through the pipe or hollow column, the upper end of the pipe being open so that the light rays enter central chamber 27 of the hollow case 14. The ceiling of the case has a downward cone 28 of reflective mirror surface, the cone being positioned directly in line with pipe 20 so that light rays hitting the cone are reflected sideward throughout the case charnber 27, and from the reflective inner surface of the chamber outward through the transluscent .letters of the advertising panel 17 which thus are visible at night.

A reflector 29 around the bulb base aids to throw light rays up the column or pipe. An access door 30 on a side of pipe 20, secured by screws 31 permits changing burnt out bulbs. i In use, thus the sign can be easier serviced than a sign having its lamp bulbs located within the sign case.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a transfer light sign, the combination of a hollow-sign case, standards and central chamber, said case being mounted upon standards so to be at a high elevation, and lamps within a lower end of said standards illuminating said central chamber which is in said case and permitting easy servicing of said lamps, said chamber having a mirror surface, an opening on a front side of said case, an advertising panel fitted in said opening, said panel having at least a portion thereof transluscent for light rays to pass therethrough, said portion forming an advertisement text or design, said standards being hollow with a mirror surface on their inner side, the upper ends of standards being open and communicating with said case chamber, a lower end of said standards being mounted on stationary bases, and said lamps directing light rays upward through said standards into said case chamber, a downwardly extending cone of mirror surface being in a ceiling of said chamber and in axial alignment with each said standard so to receive said light rays, said cones comprising a portion of said ceiling wherein a remaining portion is horizontal and flat, said cones being below the surface of said ceiling, so that said ceiling flat portion does not interfere with the radiating light rays therefrom. 

1. In a transfer light sign, the combination of a hollow-sign case, standards and central chamber, said case being mounted upon standards so to be at a high elevation, and lamps within a lower end of said standards illuminating said central chamber which is in said case and permitting easy servicing of said lamps, said chamber having a mirror surface, an opening on a front side of said case, an advertising panel fitted in said opening, said panel having at least a portion thereof transluscent for light rays to pass therethrough, said portion forming an advertisement text or design, said standards being hollow with a mirror surface on their inner side, the upper ends of standards being open and communicating with said case chamber, a lower end of said standards being mounted on stationary bases, and said lamps directing light rays upward through said standards into said case chamber, a downwardly extending cone of mirror surface being in a ceiling of said chamber and in axial alignment with each said standard so to receive said light rays, said cones comprising a portion of said ceiling wherein a remaining portion is horizontal and flat, said cones being below the surface of said ceiling, so that said ceiling flat portion does not interfere with the radiating light rays therefrom. 